while in london, big ben rang out the old and rang in the new. and the tradition continued in the big apple. tens of thousands crammed into times square to officially welcome 2013. kirk gregory, nbc news. >> beautiful kisses to start the new year. >>> on the first day of the new year, more than 400 new laws go into effect around the country. here are just a few. in maryland, same-sex couples now have the right to marry. and the wedding ceremonies started just after midnight in baltimore. california and illinois have both banned employers from forcing their workers or job applicants to hand over passwords from their personal facebook or twitter accounts. california's also outlawed using hounds to hunt bobcats or bears after lawmakers decided it's not a fair fight. in florida, flash away. police can no longer give tickets to drivers who flash their headlights to let fellow motorists know there's a speed trap ahead. >>> here's your new year's day look at this morning's dish of scrambled politics. former utah governor and republican president candida